James Cleverly has resigned from Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet to formally launch his bid to become mayor of London.
Cleverly, who served as shadow housing and local government secretary, confirmed he would seek the Conservative Party’s candidacy for the 2028 mayoral election.
His entry into the race makes him the most high-profile Conservative to pursue the London mayoralty since Boris Johnson departed the role in 2016.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Cleverly set out his vision for the capital with a direct attack on the current administration’s record.
“Our capital should never be embarrassed by its success. Its success drives the British economy, and the route both to Britain’s economic recovery and to the next Conservative government runs through London,” he wrote.
Cleverly also accused Andy Burnham of treating the capital as a “cash cow” for higher tax receipts, while arguing that Sir Sadiq Khan had let London’s “reputation slip.”
“I am putting myself forward to be the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, because our capital needs more than an administrator. It needs a champion, it needs someone who believes in London, understands its potential and is prepared to fight for its future,” he added.
Sir Sadiq Khan, who has held the mayoralty since 2016, has not yet confirmed whether he will stand again as the Labour candidate in 2028.
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer elevated Khan to the House of Lords as part of his resignation honours last month, fuelling speculation about whether Khan intends to continue in his current role.
Labour MP Dawn Butler, who represents Brent Central and Brent South, has been widely rumoured as a potential Labour mayoral candidate, and on Friday appeared in front of a sign reading “A New Dawn” in Victoria while conducting public interviews championing the capital.
One source working with Conservatives in London said they believed Cleverly would be the only candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge in territory widely viewed as a Labour stronghold.
Former Westminster councillor and Conservative member Laila Cunningham is set to stand for Reform UK, with party leader Nigel Farage previously stating his belief that Cunningham could win London’s mayoralty.
Cleverly’s announcement is expected to bring an end to prolonged speculation within Conservative circles about who would carry the party’s banner into the 2028 race.